Mount Tahtali was the first thing I wanted to visit while staying in Kemer. Online reviews promised
“amazing landscape views from this tall mountain of Turkey that stands 2365 meters above sea level”
Between January and April it’s said you can ski on Mount Tahtali in the morning, descend to Kemer and swim in the Mediterranean that afternoon. I wasn’t interested in skiing or swimming—just the views and confronting my fear of heights.
About Mount Tahtali
Mount Tahtali rises above the Kemer–Antalya area. If you’re an experienced hiker, you can climb the mountain over time. I’m not a trekker—my days are mostly spent at a desk—so I chose the easier option and took the cable car.
From Antalya there are many tour operators offering daytime trips, or you can drive independently. The cable car company also runs a shuttle from Kemer called Sea and Sky, which is usually included with the ticket.
The shuttle winds up narrow mountain roads to the base station. From there you board a roomy cable car—often filled with other visitors—for a ten-minute ascent to the summit.
After a short ride—during which nervous chatter and jokes about the cable car are inevitable—the payoff is spectacular: an unobstructed panorama of the Beydagi Mountains, the Antalya coastline and the deep blue Mediterranean.
The view stopped me in my tracks and revealed the natural beauty of Antalya. Visitors come to Mount Tahtali from nearby resorts including Belek, Cirali and Olympos, so expect queues during peak season.
At the summit you’ll find two reasonably priced restaurants, souvenir shops, a professional photographer and several viewing platforms. These facilities make it easy to relax and capture photos that prove you made it to the top.
Coming back down from Mount Tahtali
If you prefer something more adventurous, consider paragliding from the summit and gliding down to the Kemer area at the mountain’s base. In winter the mountain also functions as a ski area, so skiing down is another option.
I chose the safe route and took the cable car back down. Despite my fear of heights, the staff’s clear safety procedures made me feel confident about the ride.
Mount Tahtali was one of my first stops on a tour of southwestern Turkey, and I have no regrets—its sweeping views and dramatic setting make it a must-see in the Antalya region. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the experience.
Cable cars and mountains—are they part of your ideal holiday?